Katy's First Birthday: Pancakes and Primary Colors

In honor of Katy's first birthday, Chris and I threw her a pancake party. I know Katy was too young to understand what was going on or make any memories, but she really did enjoy herself at the party.  She is always happy when there is lots of activity to observe, explore, and join.  

My favorite part of the party was singing happy birthday to Katy.  I put Katy in her table chair with her cake just out of reach, which made her a bit antsy.  When everyone began singing, however, her fidgeting halted instantly.  She simply watched in wonder as 20 people stood around her smiling and singing. When everyone clapped and cheered at the end of the song, Katy gave a huge smile, let out happy baby squeals, and clapped right along.  Katy's response made everyone smile and cheer even more.  Pure joy is infectious.

Chris and I tried to keep Katy's party simple and handcrafted.  There was no theme, just lots of pancakes and primary colors.  

The party room ready for guests!

Tia Vivian made a beautiful, yummy cake.

I doodled on the table runner.

I drew the sign. Chris built the stand.

I sewed card stock circles to make the garland.

I made Katy a birthday outfit.

Doing what she does best in a very puffy tutu.

With her Gigi.

With her cousin Elijah.

Cousins hamming it up, each in their own way.

Tia Vivian, the baker.

Katy and her buddy Leonardo.

Pancakes, fruit, and juice. 

Katy approved of the blueberry pancakes.

Yum, yum!

Just one candle to light.

Helping mom and dad open gifts.

Her first baby: she LOVES cuddling with it!

Katy with her friends: they're all male.  Dad's already worried.

Chris and I saved a small cake and our gifts for her actual birthday, which fell later during the week.  No longer stuffed full of pancakes, Katy had a blast eating her cake.

She likes to eat books; She must have known this was a book. 

Mini cake for a mini girl.

Cake is yummy!

Q&A with Myself: Domestic Update

I've been a stay-at-home-mom for four months now, and I LOVE IT!!!  Here are my answers to your burning questions about the life of a stay-at-home-mom.

Q: Do you sleep in everyday?

A: No, although I frequently sleep later than I did when I was working.  Katy wakes up between 7 and 8 a.m., which means I do too.  At least once a week, I wake up much, much earlier because I can accomplish so much before Katy wakes up.

Q: Do you take lots of naps?

A: I don't think I do, but others might disagree.  Katy takes two naps a day and I currently nurse or rock her to sleep.  I usually take a 15 minute cat-nap while I'm putting her to sleep.  She won't need me to nurse and/or rock her forever, so I'm enjoying this time as much as I can.

Q: Do you watch lots of TV?

A: No.  Daytime TV is rotten, and I have better things to do than watch TV.  Katy and I play outside, read tons of books, play silly games, walk to the grocery store, and visit the library at least once a week.  I almost always have a crafty project in the works.  I've discovered that cooking can be a lot of fun when you have the time and energy to enjoy it.  My meals now include homemade breads, broths, and sauces. In between all of this fun, I try to squeeze in a bit of cleaning.  That doesn't leave much time for TV, although I frequently have Netflix playing in the background when I'm working during Katy's nap time.

Q: Are you overworked and under-appreciated?

A: No.  Sometimes I get frustrated on the weekends because it feels like I never get a break from catering to others or because Chris is ready to relax while I'm ready to go, go, go.  Overall, however, my life as a stay-at-home-mom is much less stressful than my former life as a working mom, and Chris never ceases to thank me for my contributions to the household.  Maybe my opinion will change with time, or with the addition of more children, but for now I do not feel overworked or under-appreciated.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a stay-at-home-mom?

A: My connection to Katy.  Taking care of Chris.  Having flexibility.

Q: What is your least favorite part of being a stay-at-home-mom?

A: Mopping.  Cleaning bathrooms.  Dry hands. Overcoming a sense of uselessness when visiting family because others are caring for Katy and I do not have a house to tend to.

Q: Do you miss your job?

A: No. Not at all. Not one bit.  Maybe I will miss my job at some point in the future, but right now I am exactly where I want to be.  I do, however, miss my paycheck.  That part of my job was pretty nice.

Mimi

Chris and I traveled to Fort Worth for Thanksgiving this past year.  My family had a huge Thanksgiving dinner at the student center at Southwestern Adventist University.  Katy and I chose to sit at the grandma table with Grandma Sullivan, Mimi, and Hazel.  Katy loved Thanksgiving dinner and ate, ate, ate everything I gave her.  Mimi told me we would not have to worry about Katy not eating.  I visited Mimi the following Monday.  We spent the morning watching Katy's baby antics.

Chris and I did not make it to Fort Worth in time to see Mimi again before she passed away.  In a way, that makes me sad.  At the same time, however, I am glad that my last memories of Mimi are memories of her conscious and enjoying her family.  My last goodbye was a happy one.

It is always sad to lose someone special, but it is especially hard now that I have a child.  I remember an incident several years ago when my mom started to cry while talking about her dad, someone who died when I was very young.  My mom said that she was sad because her children never knew her dad.  I now understand the sadness my mom was trying to express.  Katy will have no memories of Mimi, a person I so dearly wanted Katy to know.  I will tell Katy about her great grandma, but the stories will always remain impersonal and unemotional to her.  This is what I grieve the most.

Below is Mimi's life story, which I wrote for her memorial service.  Treasure your time with your loved ones, because time is a gift from God.

My favorite picture of Mimi and I.

Mimi's Life Story

Helen Maxine Jenkins was born on November 18, 1930, in Desoto Parish, Louisiana, to W.C. and Hallie Whitten.  She was the oldest of seven children.  She attended Jefferson Adventist Academy.  At the age of 16, she left home and headed to New Mexico.  At the time, she lacked half a credit from receiving her diploma at Jefferson Academy.

Helen settled in Artesia, New Mexico, where she met her future husband, Dennis Jenkins, while waiting tables.  Dennis and Helen married on July 10, 1950.  They spent 34 happy years together before Dennis tragically died in an oil field accident on January 23, 1985.

Dennis and Helen raised four daughters in Artesia, Virginia "Jenny," Sarah Denise, Brenda Geraldine "Jerri," and Lynda Kaye.  While Dennis worked in the oilfields, Helen raised her daughters, babysat children in the community, and used her talented sewing skills to sew clothes for the public.  Helen also enjoyed sewing for her girls, who were dressed for special occasions in matching, homemade dresses.  

When Helen’s daughters grew older, Helen began working at the Sears counter in Artesia.  Helen spent many years standing behind that counter all day in her high heels. 

In 1977, Helen’s daughter Denise gave birth to her first grandbaby, Matthew Hickey, and Helen became Mimi.  Matt was the first of Helen’s 11 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally. 

In 1993, Helen moved to Crowley, Texas, to be closer to family.  While living in Crowley, Helen volunteered at Harvest House and Huguley Hospital, and was a founding member of the Crowley Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Helen was the foundation of family.  No matter where she lived, her house was filled with family and friends, for whom she always made hot coffee and the best banana bread and pound cake.  Helen’s grandchildren loved spending a couple of weeks during the summer at Helen’s home in Artesia, playing on the swing set in the front yard, jumping on the trampoline, catching horned toads, and running around with her dog Joe Spot.  Her home in Crowley was a family gathering spot, where her loved ones spent countless hours at the dining table doing puzzles and playing Skip-Bo, Scrabble, and Sequence.   In 2012, she had the unique honor of celebrating her 82 birthday with her 98 year-old mother.

The love of Jesus lived in Helen’s heart.  Helen always knew how to share Jesus’ love with others without condemning or judging. While living in Artesia, the nearest church was 35 miles away.  Despite the long drive, she and her girls never missed church and they were never late.   Helen's unwavering commitment to her faith eventually led her husband Dennis to Christ, who her family knows she is eager to embrace again in Heaven. Oh, what a joyous, long-awaited reunion that will be!

Helen’s family was never limited to those related to her by blood.  Her Christ-like love for others looked beyond outward appearances, past mistakes, bad habits, and cultural differences.  She cared for many when no else would or could.  She treated friends like family, and was the proud sister, mother, and Mimi to her adopted family members, Hazel, Teresa, and Lerin. 

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, and her parents.  She is survived by her siblings (Betty, Lloyd, Wesley, L.J., Paul, and Kenneth), daughters and their spouses Jenny (Kevin), Denise, Jerri (Kim), and Lynda (Lonnie); eleven grandchildren (Matt, Sam, Katie, Kimberly, Sara, Casey, Denise, Travis, Kelly, Dennis, and Dylan), eight great granddaughters (Addison, Riley, Elayna, Ashlyn, Kaylie, Hallie, Katy, and Lakynn), and her first great grandson on the way. 

In 2011, Helen was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  For four years she fought for her life with love, dignity, and a smile on her face.  Helen passed away in the early morning hours of December 12, 2015.  Her passing was what we all hope for: peaceful, at home, surrounded by all of her children, with Jesus in heart, and after a long, fulfilling life of love.

365

Three hundred and sixty five days ago, I was pregnant.  I woke up at 4 a.m. to signs of pre-labor.  I could not go back to sleep.  I laid in the dark on the living room couch listening to the sounds of the waking birds.  I went to the doctor and then to work.  I told my boss I was not going to make it to my due date.  The false contractions were now starting in my back and traveling to my abdomen.  It would be several days until I realized that these were not false contractions.  I ate lunch by myself at a restaurant, ignoring the tightening in my abdomen and pondering the fact that no one could tell what I was hiding.  After lunch, I organized my desk and my case files.  I was nesting.  In the evening, I ran errands.  As I stood in line at a store, I wished for the line to move faster because I felt as though I could not stand much longer.  I convinced Chris to cancel our dinner plans.  I really wanted to put away the gifts from the baby shower the day before.  I was still nesting.  I called my mom and my doula.  No one concluded that I was in labor.  I took a bath.  I shaved my legs.  I could not sleep.   Chris went to the store for sleep aids.  At 11 p.m., I started timing contractions.  Less than five minutes apart and Chris was still at the store?!?!?!? Six hours later, I was a mom.

Three hundred and sixty five days ago, I went into labor at work and didn't even realize it.

Ew, Yuck

A few months ago, a young man made cat calls at me while I walking only to cease such catcalls upon seeing that I was walking with a baby.  I think the young man's reaction to seeing Katy was appropriate.

More recently, I was walking in my neighborhood with Katy in her stroller when a man driving a truck traveling toward me hung his head out his window and made kissing faces at me, complete with kissing sounds.  He was obviously aware that I was with a baby.  He was either making kissing faces at me or at Katy.  Either way, his reaction to seeing a mom and baby was not appropriate.  Ew, yuck.   

Duplo Blocks

Shortly after Katy was born, some friends gave Katy a set of Duplo blocks.  Although Katy cannot put the bricks together, she spends a lot of time exploring the different shapes, sizes, and colors of the bricks.  Her exploration, which began as staring at the bricks before putting them in her mouth, progressed to include rubbing the bricks on the floor, banging the bricks together, pounding the bricks on other objects, and poking her pointer finger in the small holes on the underside of the bricks.

While Katy meticulously examines the bricks, I sit next to her and build.

I build symmetrical shapes.

I build structures that use all of the pieces.

I spell.

I build people and furniture.

I incorporate other toys.

I make sure Katy has fun while I am building.

Katy recently learned how to pull bricks apart, which has seriously hampered my ability to build anything.  Most of my "building" now consists of tall towers designed specifically for Katy to pull apart.  Someday, however, Katy will learn how to snap the bricks together and then I will begin teaching her how to build.

Clapping and Standing Was Never So Fun

Last week Katy clapped upon hearing applause in a soundtrack.  I thought it was coincidence, but then she did it again the next day.   Today at the Little Gym, Katy stood on her own for a few seconds before slowly lowering herself to the floor.  Then she did it again at home for her dad.  

It is a really cool experience to grow a baby inside of you, birth that tiny baby, and then serve as the baby's sole source of nutrition for several months.  It also a really cool experience to watch that tiny baby develop from a sleepy, helpless blob into an interactive, clapping and standing tiny person.  Oh, I love being a mom.

Convertible Mom

Last night, after Katy went to bed, I went to Target in my convertible.  I made my $1.50 purchase minutes before Target closed, and then I headed home.  The weather outside was nice.  Really nice.  It was so nice that instead of taking the direct route home, which is a mere 2.2. miles, I took the 30 minute "scenic route" that somehow took me to the expressway.  It was dark, and it was late.  The top was down, and the radio was up.  I did not feel like a mom, and I liked it.

Nine Months

Today Katy is nine months old.  At nine months, Katy is constantly looking to pull herself into a standing position, she loves for me to help her walk by holding her tiny hands, and she sometimes insists on feeding herself.  I can see the toddler inside her trying to emerge.

One evening this week, Katy was having a hard time falling asleep for the night.  I finally picked her up  and laid her on my chest to rock her.  Eventually, her wiggles gave way to my firm hold and she began making little sounds I hadn't heard in months, little sighs of defeat as she drifted to sleep.  It reminded me of the sleepy noises tiny, newborn Katy made and that Katy is still my little baby.

Katy June and her Dad.

Attorney at Law on Hold

The week before last I left this:

For this:

Self-imposed unemployment.  Stay at home mom.  Attorney at law on hold.  Whatever you call it, hopefully it means no more Saturday nights spent like this:

Work, work, and more work.

I'm pretty sure my new client doesn't understand the significance of the recent change.  Someday, however, Katy will be an adult with a career of her own and in all likelihood, a family of her own as well.  Maybe then Katy will understand what this change means for her, for me, and for our family.

Only a week in and I already love my new job.  Praise God for opening doors, providing options, and guiding life decisions.  

Change is in the Air

Katy recently helped Chris bid his job farewell.  

The view from Chris' last office.

If there is anything constant in my Life as a Sias, it's change.  Here's to hoping the newest changes are the start of something good.

My Favorite Board Books

Katy doesn't have a lot of toys, but she does have a growing book collection because I love board books.  I love board books so much I started buying them before I was pregnant.  Currently, the following board books are my favorite ones to read to Katy:

1.  Hot Dog, Cold Dog, by Frann Preston-Gannon.

A rhyming book about opposites, this book is one of my favorites for several reasons.  The pages are much larger and sturdier than average board books.  The pictures are not only creative and adorable, but they feature re-occuring objects like rabbits, a coffee cup, and bones that are fun to look for on each page.  And of course, who doesn't like a book about dogs?

2.  Snow, by Uri Shulevitz.

A story about the excitement of a young boy surrounded by doubting adults.   The watercolor images alone are enough to make this book a favorite, but the text is equally artistic without resorting to the standard rhyming, rhythmic lines found in so many board books.  I found this book on clearance at TJ Maxx and bought it because it was cheap.  The more I read this book, however, the more I like it.

3.  Freight Train, by Donald Crews.

Another TJ Maxx find.  Simple text and colorful, graphic images convey the movement of a train using words like trestle and hopper.  What's not to love?

4.  I am a Bunny, illustrated by Richard Scarry.

This book follows Nicholas the bunny through the changes of each season.  Richard Scarry's illustrations are what make this book so fun to read.  The pictures are colorful, busy, and fill the entire page.  I also like the book's tall rectangular size.

5.  Apple Pie ABC, by Alison Murray.

A book about an adorable dog and fresh apple pie, this book couldn't be more American. Like most ABC books, this one features just a word or two for each letter of the alphabet.  Unlike most alphabet books, however, this one tells a story by combining the sparse text with pictures.  I like this book because each time I read it, I add my own text to link the sparse words together based on the story told in the images, making each reading a little different.

I should note that none of the above are Katy's favorite book.  Katy's favorite board book is a book called "Meow, Meow."  The book features large photos of cats photoshopped on brightly colored backgrounds with lines like, "Chloe the fluffy kitty has soft white fur, stroke her tiny tummy and maybe she will purr."  Needless to say, I'm hoping Katy's literary tastes will mature significantly as grows.

Cradle Rolle Comforts

Katy recently started attending the cradle roll Sabbath school class at church.  One of the staple props during class are felt bibles.  I remember these same felt bibles, and the felt image of Jesus inside them,  from my childhood.  It's nice to know that the word of God never changes, even when it's in felt form.

Summer 2015

It's Labor Day weekend, which marks the end of another summer.  Because summer began as my lengthy maternity leave came to an end, work dominated my summer.  The Sias, family, however did find some time to enjoy the warm weather.

In June, Chris and I took Katy to the beach for the first time.  We stayed in Los Fresnos, which is about half an hour from South Padre Island, because hotel prices on the Island during the summer are ridiculously absurd.  Almost eight hundred dollars for two nights in a Holiday Inn?  No thank you. Los Fresnos, on the other hand, is home to the oh-so-lovely, soaked-in-nature, quiet and intimate Inn at Chachalaca Bend.  The inn is actually quite romantic, so much so that a couple with a young baby were admittedly a little out of place.  Katy, however, is still immobile and therefore rather flexible when it comes to new places.  

The Inn at Chachalaca Bend

The resaca at The Inn at Chachalaca Bend

Spanish Moss covered trees at the Inn.

Baby's can sleep anywhere.

Of course the highlight of the trip was dangling Katy's tiny toes in the ocean for the first time.  As usual, Katy's response to this new experience was disproportionate to our excitement.  Sometimes I forget everything is new to Katy and therefore, her focus remains small details like a bow on an article of clothing, the way her hand moves, or a silly sound.  Until she masters the small details that we take for granted, grand places like the beach, which are comprised of thousands of small details, are lost on her.  

First trip to the ocean. 

The beach party - Katy has mostly adult friends.

Katy preferred the dry picnic basket over the wet ocean.

After a few minutes of attempting to convince Katy of the Ocean's wonder, Chris finally sat down in the water with Katy.  Within a few minutes, a small wave crashed on Chris' back.  I watched as Katy's face changed from disinterest to shock and shock to anger.  Crying and wet, the fun was over. 

In July, Katy and I traveled to San Antonio to meet-up with some of my girlfriends.  I was nervous about taking a road trip with Katy without another adult to keep her happy or attempt to keep her happy during the drive.  Traveling in a two-seater sports car, however, kept Katy very happy.   No longer relegated to the lonely backseat, Katy was quite content sitting next to her mom for four hours.

More of Katy's adult friends.

In August, Rachella took some vacation time to spend with her family.  Chris and I convinced our parents to drive eight hours to the Valley to spend a week providing free childcare services.  Grandchildren really do have a magical sway over their grandparents.  

   

Katy met her Great Grandma!

Four generations at church together.

Katy's second trip to the beach.

Where's Katy?!?!?!

There she is!

Katy's second trip to the beach. 

At church with Grandma and Papo.

Katy with her Grandma.

I was a little bummed because the summer was going to end without Katy going for her first swim.  Then, today we went to a friend's new house and discovered that they have a pool.  Finally, on the last weekend of the summer, Katy went swimming.

Katy really enjoyed splashing the water with her hands.

Although we didn't take any big vacations, it was a good summer.  

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Last weekend I ate Crazy Bread from Little Ceasar's pizza.  A few hours later, while asleep for the night, I woke up sick to my stomach.  I immediately tasted the culprit: Crazy Bread.  For the next twelve hours, I was unable to keep much of anything in my stomach, and I felt best when I refrained from eating, drinking, and moving.  This lack of activity and energy, however, was difficult because Chris was out of town and I was the sole caretaker of a wiggly six-month-old baby.

Thankfully, God sent supportive friends named Heidi and Stella to my aid.  Heidi brought me some stomach settling Sprite and rehydrating Gatorade.  A couple hours later, Stella came over to watch Katy while I slept.  I am beyond blessed to have Heidi and Stella as friends.  Thank you, thank you, thank you, Heidi and Stella for your kind acts.  It was so very helpful, and means so much to me. 

Cowabunga!

Chick-Fil-A recently offered free dinner to anyone who came to one of their restaurants dressed like a cow.  My dad thought this was funny because he didn't know anyone who owned a cow costume.  Silly dad.  Your granddaughter has a cow costume, and she looks pretty cute in it.

The free dinner was only for people wearing a cow costume, so naturally Katy ordered her mom's favorite: a number one with no pickles, waffle fries, and a diet lemonade.  Upon ordering a diet lemonade, the employee taking Katy's order asked Katy if she was watching her baby weight.  Very cheeky.  

GC 2015

In July, Chris, Katy, and I went to our first General Conference of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  It was like going to the Disney World version of church - feeling exhausted and excited at the same time due to thousands of people, a lot of walking, and too much to see.

Chris' meal on the way to GC. It was very
un-Adventist.

The exhibit halls surpassed my expectations in both size and quality.  There were so many booths and so many old friends wondering through the space that it became overwhelming.

Part of one of 3 exhibit halls.  

It was very cool to be in such a large city surrounded by so many fellow Adventists.  The Adventists were everywhere.  There were so many Adventists that some coworkers of mine who also traveled to San Antonio while GC was taking place noticed the lack of hotel rooms and the crowds of well-dressed people all over the place.

One of the Alamodome meetings.  Lots of people!

The sense of belonging among the crowds was most impressive after evening and Sabbath services, when a seemingly never-ending stream of people filled the closed streets between the Alamodome and the convention center.  I have never seen such a large, orderly movement of people in the middle of a busy city.  

Standing in the constant stream of Adventists Friday evening.

Of course, the result of thousands of Adventists from around the world overtaking downtown San Antonio was comical at times as well.  It was funny to see so many people in church clothes among the summer tourists, especially considering the summer heat.  I saw several foreigners walking around in suits and oversized cowboy hats, perhaps thinking that their Texas souvenirs helped them blend in.  On Friday afternoon, I saw a group from Africa attempt to prepay for their lunch at a restaurant the following Saturday.  The poor girl at the front kiosk had a difficult time explaining why this arrangement was not possible.   Also on Friday, Chris went shopping at a downtown department store for some dress clothes.  The store was ridiculously crowded with other Adventists.  When Chris asked a sales person about the crowds, the sales person said it started when "they arrived."   On the final evening of meetings, I saw a group of people standing in the Alamodome chatting next the scooter parking area.  One of the ladies had draped her sweater over the edge of the "scooter parking" sign so as to cover the "s" in "scooter parking."  Unfortunately, the group standing next to to the sign was comprised entirely of women.

Heather shared a women's ordination button with Katy.

With all the crowds, Chris and I were happy to get away for a while and spend some time at my cousin Matt's house.  It was a nice break from GC.

At Matt's pool. 

With Matt and Harry.

Katy tries the timeout chair at Matt's house.

Timeout is funny.

Katy did fabulously well with the changes in her routine while we were at GC and even slept all night in her travel crib, which prompted me to start using her crib at home as well.  For a baby who started out sleeping in bed with mom, I am very proud of her relatively short transition to sleeping through the night in her own bed.  She's a keeper.

We ran into Brian!

With some Scenic Hills Pathfinders.

One of our favorite families.

We're Still Alive

I last blogged on May 17.  Three days later, my maternity leave ended.  These dates are not coincidence.  Time moves at a record setting pace when two working professionals attempt to balance demanding jobs, caring for a baby, maintaining a home, and spending time with each other.   I am not sure how much longer we will maintain this pace but for now, here's a run-down on Life as a Sias three-months post-maternity leave.

1.  Katy is adorably wonderful and beautiful, and I love being her mom.  

2.  I've breastfed Katy for six months, and I have a freezer full of milk to spare. While I was pregnant, I naively assumed breastfeeding was something babies and moms know how to do.   Much to my discouragement, Katy entered the world on a sleepy hunger strike, and I was tired, weepy, and unused to so many people seeing my exposed chest.  The conditions post-birth were less than ideal for teaching something new to a tiny human incapable of communication or reason, much less learning something new myself.  After four long days at the hospital, the pediatrician finally let us take Katy home, but not without one final condescending, "Are you sure you can do this?"  Within a couple of days at home, however, Katy and I started making positive progress.  Fast forward six months and I can proudly say that Katy hasn't tasted formula since she was eight days old.  The ten pounds she has gained since birth?  That was all me. Take that hospital pediatrician.  

3. Katy has two teeth.  The first tooth came in while we were traveling.  The teething fussiness that so many parents lament consisted of one brief episode of screaming/crying as I was getting Katy ready for bed.  She slept all night, and the next day she had a little tooth protruding through her lower gums.  I recall thinking to myself proudly, "this teething business is not so bad after all."  Never say to yourself, "this teething business is not so bad after all," even if only in your head.  If you do make the mistake of such cavalier, ungracious statements, stock up on infant tylenol immediately.  You will pay for your mistake when the next tooth comes. 

4.  Katy rolled over for the first time about a month ago.  I encouraged her to repeat the trick.  Now I beg her to stay on her back while I attempt to change her diaper.  The girl loves to be on her tummy and sometimes she succeeds at lifting her tiny torso up on her wobbly arms and knees.  Based on prior experience, I know that I will regret encouraging this new trick, but I can't stop myself from getting excited.    

5.  After Katy was born, Doug was demoted to the role of a dog.  This was tough for him, as evidenced by unusually clingy behavior.  When I returned to work, our friend Rachella and her son Leonardo started staying at the house with Katy.  It was at this time that Doug was further demoted to the role of an outside dog during the day.  He has retaliated by spending his day in constant pursuit of the lizards living in the flower beds.  The neglected plants will never be the same.  

Katy is waking up from her nap, so I will have to postpone the rest of my thoughts for later.  For now, enjoy some pictures of my KatyGirl. 

Katy in her jumper.  It's large and plastic, but
she likes it.

Like I said, Katy is adorably wonderful and beautiful.

This girl loves to be on her tummy.